Air fairing for frameless trailer

ABSTRACT

An air fairing device is connected below the bottom a frameless trailer to improve aerodynamic efficiency and improve fuel economy. One embodiment of the air fairing device provides an air deflector positioned forward of a trolley which supports the frameless trailer at a rear end. A second embodiment of the air fairing device provides two deflectors mounted below the frameless trailer. The first deflector is attached and extends downward from an articulating arm, said arm connecting the trailer to a semi-tractor or truck. The second deflector connected to below the bottom of the frameless trailer and positioned rear of the first deflector and forward of the trolley. A third embodiment is similar to the second but further includes a third deflector positioned between two axles of the trolley.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/461,878, filed on Aug. 18, 2014, which is a nonprovisional utilityapplication claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/870,467 filed on Aug. 27, 2013, thedisclosures of each are incorporated by reference as if fully rewrittenherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to systems and devices thatincrease aerodynamic efficiency. More particularly, the inventionrelates generally to an air fairing or trailer skirt for trailers.Specifically, the invention relates to an air fairing for a framelesstrailer.

2. Background Information

Fuel economy in combustion engine vehicles is closely related toaerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. Aerodynamic efficiency depends onan object's ability to decrease drag forces on the object as the objectpasses through a flow stream, amongst other things. When drag forces aredecreased, fuel efficiency tends to increase.

Road tractors, or conventionally known semi-trucks, are used to pullroad trailers on roads to transport cargo. Often times, these trailersare fitted with air fairings to help improve aerodynamic efficiency byreducing drag and thus increasing fuel economy.

Frameless trailers are a type of dump trailer that lacks a frameordinarily supporting a conventional framed or box dump trailer. Thelack of any frame tends to increases fuel efficiency by decreasingweight ordinarily attributed to a frame of a tractor trailer. The lackof a frame also reduces drag by decreasing the size of the aerodynamicprofile of the frameless trailer.

A need continues to exist to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of aframeless dump trailer. Further, a need continues to exist for improvingthe fuel efficiency of a truck having a combustion engine. The presentinvention addresses these and other issues.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an embodiment of the invention may provide an aerodynamicdevice operatively connected to a frameless trailer, wherein when viewedfrom a side the frameless trailer has a top and bottom definingtherebetween a vertical direction, a forward end and a rear end defininga longitudinal direction therebetween, and when viewed from the bottomleft and right sides defining therebetween an axial direction, saiddevice comprising: an air fairing sidewall extending vertically below anouter surface of the frameless trailer and positioned forward of atrailer trolley adapted to support the frameless trailer.

Another aspect of an embodiment may provide a trailer comprising: atrailer body defining an interior cargo chamber having a bottom; a firstset of rear ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted under the bottom ofthe trailer body; an air fairing comprising a sidewall positionedforward of the first set of wheels and extending downwardly lower thanthe bottom of the trailer body, and is U-shaped as viewed from below;wherein the sidewall comprises an apex segment defining a front of thesidewall, a left segment extending rearwardly and to the left from theapex segment; and a right segment which extends rearwardly and to theright from the apex segment; the apex segment has a forward facing frontsurface, a rearward facing rear surface, and a downwardly facing bottomterminal edge which extends substantially parallel to the ground fromthe front surface to the rear surface and is adjacent the front of thesidewall.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the invention may provide incombination, a truck, a frameless trailer positioned atop of a trolley,and an air fairing positioned below the frameless trailer and behind thetruck, wherein the air fairing comprises at least one fairing sidewallcurving outward from a leading edge and extending front to back to arear edge.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the disclosure may provide aframeless trailer comprising: a trailer body defining an interior cargochamber and having a front end spaced from a rear end defining alongitudinal direction therebetween and having a bottom; a set of rearground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted under the bottom of the trailerbody; an articulating arm connected to the trailer body at a pivot pointand extending longitudinally below the bottom of trailer, wherein thepivot point is located between the front and rear ends and forward fromthe set of rear ground-engaging wheels; a forward portion of thearticulating arm is adapted to releasably connect to a truck for towingthe trailer and wherein the trailer body is adapted to pivot upwardlyabout the pivot point to dump cargo contents from the interior cargochamber; and a first air fairing mounted to the articulating arm adaptedto reduce drag as the truck tows the frameless trailer forward.

In another aspect, an embodiment may provide an aerodynamic devicecomprising: a frameless trailer having a longitudinal container bodysupported by a trolley having wheels connected to a transverse axle neara rear end of the frameless trailer, wherein the container body has aconvexly curved outer surface; an articulating arm pivotably connectedbelow the curved outer surface of the container body and a rearmost endon the articulating arm; an air fairing assembly including a firstU-shaped air deflector when viewed from below, and a second airdeflector; the first U-shaped air deflector entirely forward of therearmost end on the articulating arm; and the second air deflectorentirely rearward of the rearmost end on the articulating arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode inwhich Applicant contemplates applying the principles, are set forth inthe following description and are shown in the drawings and areparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an aerodynamic air fairing devicemounted to and extending below a trailer being towed by a truck;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention depicting a frameless trailer having one air fairing deviceconnected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view of the first embodiment of the presentinvention depicting the air fairing device positioned forward of atrolley;

FIG. 5 is a forward facing cross section view taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention depicting a frameless trailer having a three air fairingdevices extending below the bottom of the frameless trailer;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial bottom view of the second embodiment ofthe present invention depicting one air fairing device positionedforward of a trolley and another air fairing device positioned betweenthe two axles of the trolley; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial bottom view of the second embodimentdepicting one air faring device mounted to an articulating arm andpositioned forward of the other two air fairing devices.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With primary reference to FIGS. 1-2, an aerodynamic device has an airfairing 10 connected to a frameless trailer 12 for towing behind asemi-tractor or truck 14. The frameless trailer 12 has a first orforward end 16 and a second or rear end 18 defining a longitudinaldirection therebetween. Frameless trailer 12 has a top side 20 and abottom side 22 that define a vertical direction therebetween. Whenviewed from the bottom, as depicted in FIG. 3, frameless trailer 12 hasa first or left side 24 and a second or right side 26 that therebetweendefine an axial direction.

As depicted in FIG. 2, frameless trailer 12 includes a front panel 17defining the forward end 16, a rear panel 19 defining the rear end 18, abody panel or panels 21 defining the top and bottom, 20, 22, anddefining the left and right sides 24, 26, a connection member or pivotmount 28, an articulating or lift arm 30, a hitch plate 32, a hitch pin34, a pivot pin 36, landing gear 38, and feet 40. Front panel 17 ispositioned generally upright, yet other angled position, such as thesloped position depicted in FIG. 2 is possible. Rear panel 19 isgenerally vertical and positioned rearwardly of front panel 17. Bodypanel 21 extends between front panel 17 and rear panel 19. Body panel 21may have left and right panels or be configured as a single panel havinga rounded bottom defining the left and right sides, 24, 26, as depictedin FIG. 2. Body panel 21 has an inner surface 23 and an outer surface25. Inner surface 23 at bottom 22 of trailer 12 is substantiallyenclosed to retain the contents within the trailer 12. The top 20 may beopen or enclosed depending upon the type of material being transported.For example, raw bulk materials such as coal may be transported with aframeless trailer 12 having an open top 20 so a loader may easily loadand unload the raw materials. Alternatively, liquid such as fuel wouldneed to be transported in a container having an enclosed top.

Connection member 28 is positioned approximately longitudinally halfwaybetween the front end 16 and rear end 18 proximate to bottom 22 of theframeless trailer 12. The connection member 28 has a top end 29 a and abottom end 29 b. Preferably, the top 29 a of the connection member 28 isadjacent the bottom 22 of the frameless trailer 12 and bottom 29 bextends vertically below surface 25 of body 21. The bottom 29 b of theconnection member 28 receives articulating arm 30 connected by pivot pin36. In the preferred embodiment, two connection members 28 a, 28 bengage the frameless trailer 12 on each side 24, 26 adjacent bottom 22(FIG. 3). Connection member 28 a, 28 b may be connected to each other bya support member 28 c (FIG. 3).

As depicted in FIG. 3, articulating arm 30 having a front end 33 and arear end 35 is disposed vertically below the frameless trailer 12.Adjacent the front end 33 of the articulating arm 30 is the hitch plate32 which preferably connects to a trailer seat located on thesemi-trailer truck 14. The hitch plate 32 comprises a male insert orhitch pin 34 extending downward from adjacent the radial center of aterminal plate. The hitch plate 32 engages the terminal seat of asemi-trailer truck 14 via hitch pin 34 when the frameless is tractor isselectively attached, as depicted in FIG. 1. Hitch plate 32 may besecured in a conventionally known manner, such as a lock, to ensure theframeless trailer 12 is properly secured to the semi-trailer truck 14when being hauled. In the preferred embodiment, articulating arm has agenerally “A-shaped” design. Articulating arm 30 includes twoarticulating arm members 30 a, 30 b connecting at their respectiveforward ends. Each articulating arm member 30 a, 30 b extends rearwardlyfrom the forward connection. Preferably, members 30 a, 30 b defines aninner hollow space to reduces the weight of the members 30 a, 30 b.Although this shape is preferred, other configurations such as solidarms or I-beams are contemplated. The rear end of the articulating armmembers 30 a, 30 b defines an aperture that receives the pivot pin 36 topivotably connect to the connection member 28. The pivotable connectionof the articulating arm 30 and connection member 28 permits thepivotable rotation of the frameless trailer 12. Preferably, the firstarticulating arm 30 a is pivotably connected to the first connectionmember 28 a. The second articulating arm 30 b is pivotably connected tothe second connection member 30 b. At least one support member 30 c mayextend axially between the articulating arm members 30 a, 30 b. In thepreferred embodiment, a plurality first support members 30 c connects tothe first articulating arm 30 a and the second articulating arm 30 b.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, landing gear 38 extendsoutwardly in a downward direction from the articulating arm 30 whenviewed from the side. Landing gear 38 includes a pair of legs 39 a, 39 bhaving feet 40 and may contain stand support members. The preferredembodiment of the present invention provides landing gear 38 receivinglegs 39 a, 39 b, each having a foot 40. The first and second legs 39 a,39 b are spaced apart and generally parallel elongated members.Preferably, foot 40 adapted engages the ground surface 15 when framelesstrailer 12 is disconnected from the semi-trailer truck 14 in anunattached position shown in FIG. 2. When the frameless trailer 12 isconnected to the semi-trailer truck 14, as seen in FIG. 1, the legs 39a, 39 b and feet 40 do not engage the ground surface 15. Someembodiments may provide retractable or telescoping legs, where as otherembodiments may provide pivoting legs. However, any conventionallyacceptable adaptations of ensuring the legs 39 a, 39 b, and feet 40 arenot touching the ground surface 15 when the frameless trailer 12 isconnected to the semi-trailer truck 14 are contemplated.

A trailer trolley or dolly 41 is positioned adjacent the rear 18 of theframeless trailer 12. Trolley 41 attaches and supports frameless trailer12 from below. Trolley 41 preferably comprises at least one trolleysupport member 42, at least one axle 44, at least two ground engagingtires or wheels 46, and a suspension system 48. The preferred embodimentprovides a trolley first support member 42 a and a trolley secondsupport member 42 b. The trolley first and second support members 42 a,42 b are spaced apart and generally parallel oriented in thelongitudinal direction. The trolley support members 42 a, 42 b supportthe weight of the frameless trailer 12. Preferably, a first axle 44 aand a second axle 44 b operatively engage the trolley first 42 a andsecond support members 42 b. Generally, the axles 44 a, 44 b extendaxially and orthogonal to the trolley support members 42 a, 42 b. Thefirst axle 44 a is positioned forwardly of the second axle 44 b. Theaxles 44 a, 44 b provide a rotational axis 45 about which the tiresrotate. At least two tires 46 are operatively connected to the axle 44.The preferred embodiment provides eight wheels and tires, however otherconfigurations are contemplated. Suspension system 48 is operativelyconnecting to support members 42 a, 42 b. A plurality of additionalconventional components ordinarily associated with operatively connecteda tire to an axle, such as hubs, brakes, hydraulic lines, shockabsorbers (shown as part of suspension system 48), air compressionlines, struts (shown as part of suspension system 48), and the like, arecontemplated. Further, the trolley 41 may have a plurality ofconventional components connected to the trolleys, such as mud flaps,tail lights, license plate brackets, and the like.

Wind or air fairing device 10 includes a sidewall or air deflector 51and a mounting member 80. Deflector 51 has a leading edge 50, a rearedge 52, a top edge 54, and a bottom edge 56. Deflector 51 has aninwardly facing inner surface 60 when viewed from below and outwardlyfacing an outer surface 58 when viewed from below (FIG. 3). Deflector 51includes a first or left fairing wall or segment 53 and a second orright fairing wall or segment 55 (FIGS. 3-4). Deflector 51 is attachedto and supported by a plurality of mounting braces 62 positioned closelyadjacent the inner surface 60 below the frameless trailer 12.

When viewing device 10 from the side (FIG. 2), leading edge 50 extendsvertically below the bottom 22 of trailer 12. Edge 50 is positionedforward of rear edge 52. Rear edge 52 extends arcuately defining anarcuate or curvilinear tire recess adapted to adjacently receive tire46. Top edge 54 extends longitudinally between leading and rear edges50, 52. Bottom edge 56 is positioned below top edge 54 and extendslongitudinally between leading and rear edges 50, 52 and is generallyparallel with top edge 54. Bottom edge extends below the radiallycentered axis 45 of axle 44. Bottom edge 56 does not contact ground 15.

An apex segment or region 57 is axially centered below trailer 12. Whenviewed from the bottom as depicted in FIGS. 3-4, first fairing segment53 extends rearwardly from apex 57 in a curve 53 a axially outwardtowards left side 24, therefrom extending to a substantially planarsegment 53 b to a terminal end 53 c. Planar segment 53 b is co-planarwith planar with 53 b′ positioned axially beyond an imaginary tire outersurface first plane 45 a. First fairing segment 53 terminates 53 c anddoes not extend past or rear of first axle 44 a. Second fairing segment55 extends similarly but opposite of first fairing segment 53 rearwardlyfrom apex 57 axially outward curved 55 a towards right side 26,therefrom extending substantially planar 55 b to a terminal end 55 c.Planar segment 55 b is co-planar with planar with 55 b′ positionedaxially beyond an imaginary tire outer surface second plane 45 b. Secondfairing segment 55 terminates 55 c does not extend beyond or rearward offirst axle 44 a. Further, inner surface 60 of deflector 51 defines acavity which may retain a pocket of air as trailer 12 is towed forward.Bottom edge 56 defines an entrance opening to the cavity.

When viewed from a forward facing cross section, as depicted in FIG. 5,device 10 includes mounting member 80 connecting deflector 51 to trailer12. Member 80 includes a tapered top segment 81, a vertical end segment82, and a plurality of axially extending support ribs 83. Member 80connects to bottom 22 of trailer 12 extending downward along taperedsegment 81 towards end 82, preferably at a tapered angle. End 82 ofmember 80 connects with top edge 54 of deflector 51. Support ribs 83extend axially inward from end 82 below segment 81. Ribs 83 areconnected to segment 81. Member 80 may be affixed to trailer 12 anddeflector 51 in conventionally known ways as understood in the art suchas welding or riveting.

Looking further to FIGS. 4-5, mounting brace 62 is positioned inwardlyof inner surface 60 and includes a mounting plate 64, a lobe 66, asupport pin member 68, a flex members 70, a first end 71 of flex member70, and a terminal end 72 of flex member 70. Mounting plate 64 isconnected to deflector 51 and extends inwardly beyond inner surface 60.Preferably, mounting plate 64 is connected adjacent top edge 54, howeverother positions where plate 64 extends inwardly beyond inner surface 60are contemplated. Lobe 66 is closely adjacent mounting plate 64extending inwardly beyond plate 64. Lobe 66 receives support pin 68through an aperture formed in lobe 66.

Flex member 70 is an elongated member extending between first andterminal ends, 71, 72. First end 71 connects to lobe 66 via pin 68extending through aligned first end 71 and aperture in lobe 66. Member70 extends downwardly to terminal end 72 connecting deflector 51adjacent bottom edge 56. FIG. 5 depicts a configuration having six flexmembers 70, however other multiples are contemplated.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6-9, a second embodiment of wind faringdevice is shown generally as 110. Similar to the first embodiment ofdevice 10, device 110 has a forward deflector 111 extending downwardbelow bottom 22 of trailer 12. Forward deflector 111 includes a verticalsidewall 113 and a top wall 115. Sidewall 113 connects to top wall 115and extends generally vertically downward therefrom. Top wall 115includes an upwardly facing first or top surface 114 and a downwardlyfacing second or bottom surface 116. Top wall 115 is axially planarextending longitudinally and connects to the bottom side of articulatingarm 30 along top surface 114. Top surface 114 may attach to either oneof members 30 a, 30 b or cross member 30 c, or all three. Top wall 115is below articulating arm and positioned forward of connection member 28when viewed from the side. A rear vertical edge 112 terminates deflector111 forward of connection member 28.

Second embodiment 110 further includes a separate second sidewall ordeflector 120 and a third sidewall or deflector 122 when viewed from theside as depicted in FIG. 6. It is to be understood that while referringto the second and third walls 120, 122 when viewed from the side, thatall components of second and third walls 120,122 are mirrored on eachleft and right side 24, 26 as depicted from the bottom view of FIG. 7.Deflector 120 has a leading edge 124, a rear edge 126, a top edge 128,and a bottom edge 130. Deflector 120 has an inwardly facing innersurface 132 when viewed from below and outwardly facing an outer surface134 when viewed from below. Deflector 120 may be mounted closelyadjacently below the frameless trailer container by a plurality ofmounting braces 62. Leading edge 124 is vertical extending below thebottom 22 of trailer 12. Edge 124 is positioned forward of rear edge126. Rear edge 126 extends arcuately defining an arcuate or curvilineartire recess adapted to adjacently receive tire 46. Top edge 128 extendslongitudinally between leading and rear edges 124, 126. Bottom edge 130is positioned below top edge 128 and extends longitudinally betweenleading and rear edges 124, 126 and is generally parallel with top edge128. Bottom edge 130 extends below the radially centered axis 45 of axle44. Bottom edge 130 does not contact ground 15.

Deflector 122 has a leading edge 158, a rear edge 160, a top edge 162,and a bottom edge 164. Deflector 122 has an inwardly facing innersurface 156 when viewed from below and outwardly facing an outer surface154 when viewed from below. Deflector 122 may be mounted closelyadjacently below the frameless trailer container by a plurality ofmounting braces 62 behind first axle 44 a and forward of second axle 44b. Leading edge 158 extends arcuately defining an arcuate or curvilineartire recess adapted to adjacently receive tire 46. Edge 158 ispositioned forward of rear edge 160. Rear edge 160 extends arcuatelydefining an arcuate or curvilinear tire recess adapted to adjacentlyreceive tire 46. Top edge 162 extends longitudinally between leading andrear edges 158, 160. Bottom edge 162 is positioned below top edge 160and extends longitudinally between leading and rear edges 158, 160 andis generally parallel with top edge 162. Bottom edge 162 extends belowthe radial center 45 of axle 44. Bottom edge 164 does not contact ground15.

When viewed from the bottom as depicted in FIGS. 8-9, second deflector120 includes a first fairing member 140 and a second fairing member 142.First fairing member 140 extends rearwardly from a connection 144 withconnection member 28. Connection 144 is shown as located towards therear end of member 28 a, however other connection locations below thebottom 22 of trailer 12 are contemplated. Member 140 extends fromconnection 144 in a curve 140 a axially outward towards a planar segment140 b adjacent left side 24. Segment 140 b is coplanar with plane 150′.Plane 150′ is positioned axially outward or beyond first tire plane 45a. First fairing member 140 terminates 140 c and does not extend past orrear of first axle 44 a.

Second fairing member 142 extends similarly but opposite of firstfairing member 140 rearwardly from connection 146 connected to member 28b. Connection 144 is shown as located towards the rear end of member 28b, however other connection locations below the bottom 22 of trailer 12are contemplated. Member 142 extends from connection 144 axiallyoutwardly curved 142 a towards a planar segment 142 b adjacent rightside 26. Segment 142 b is coplanar with plane 152′. Plane 152′ ispositioned axially outward or beyond second tire plane 45 b. Secondfairing member 142 terminates 142 c and does not extend beyond orrearward of first axle 44 a. Support ribs 183 may be connected todeflector 120 and extend axially inward from an inner surface ofsidewall 22.

Third deflector 122 includes a first fairing member 150 and a secondfairing member 152. Third deflector first fairing member 150 ispositioned adjacent left side 24, co-planar with plane 150′, outsideimaginary tire outer surface first plane 45 a extending longitudinallyfrom first to second end, 150 a, 150 b, respectively. First member 150is positioned rear of first axle 44 a and forward of axle 44 b. Secondfairing member 152 is positioned adjacent right side 26, co-planar with152′, outside imaginary tire outer surface second plane 45 b extendinglongitudinally from first to second end, 152 a, 152 b, respectively.Second deflector member 152 is positioned rear of first axle 44 a andforward of axle 44 b. Support ribs 183 may be connected to sidewall 124and extend axially inward from an inner surface of deflector 122.

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer surfaces 58, 134, 154 of the respectivedeflectors 111,120, 122 extend in smooth manner along extends along thesame imaginary smooth pathway. The smooth pathway is effective inreducing drag as air flows around deflectors 111, 120, 122. Although theimaginary pathway is not physically continuous or connected, theimaginary plane connecting two deflectors, for example the gap extendingbetween deflector 111 and deflector 120, would create a smooth line whenviewed from below.

Second embodiment of wind faring device 110 further includes a mountingmember 180 connecting deflectors 120, 122 to trailer 12. Member 180includes a tapered top segment 181, a vertical end segment 182, and aplurality of axially extending support ribs. Member 180 connects tobottom 22 of trailer 12 extending downward along tapered segment 181towards an end 182, preferably at a tapered angle. End 182 of member 180connects with top edge 128 of deflector 120 and top edge 162 ofdeflector 122. Support ribs may extend axially inward from end 182 belowsegment 181. Ribs may be connected to segment 181. Member 180 may beaffixed to trailer 12 and deflector 51 in conventionally known ways asunderstood in the art such as welding or riveting.

In operation, the embodiments of the present invention work to increasefuel efficiency, decrease the effect of drag forces, and provide morecontrol for a driver as truck 14 tows frameless trailer 12 having device10 or 110. Trailer 12 having device 10 or 110 preferably begins in agrounded position with the landing gear 38 engaging ground 15 (FIG. 2and FIG. 6). Trailer 12 is then loaded with material that needs to betransported, such as dirt, gravel, or other bulk materials. Truck 14 ispositioned to engage and connect with plate 32 and hitch 34. Onceengaged, landing gear is raised to an ungrounded position (FIG. 1).Truck 14 tows trailer 12 in a direction causing device 10, which isattached to trailer 12, to advance forward through an airstreamopposition the airstream flow path. The reduction of drag increases fuelefficiency for the semi-trailer truck 14 as it moves forward through anairstream along a direction opposite to a direction of air travel. Thecurvature of the sidewalls of device 10 or 110 permits an efficientaerodynamic profile as device 10 or 110 advances against the path of airtravel. Flex member 70 operates to support side wall 21. Member 70 actsas a spring mechanism to provide a force source pushing outwardly fromthe inner surface 60 against sidewall 21 to counteract forces generatedby wind as truck 14 moves forward with the trailer 12 in tow.

Throughout this specification the term “frameless trailer” is used andrefers to a dump trailer that lacks a frame ordinarily supporting a dumptrailer. The frameless trailer 12 is supported by the body panels thatcomprise the trailer 12. The lack of any frame increases fuel efficiencyby decreasing weight ordinarily attributed to a frame of a tractortrailer. The lack of a frame also reduces drag by decreasing the size ofthe aerodynamic profile of the frameless trailer. One exemplaryframeless dump trailer is commercially known as the AR 450 SCRAPMACmanufactured and sold by MAC Trailer of 14599 Commerce Street in theTown of Alliance, State of Ohio.

Alternative configurations of the frameless trailer are contemplatedwithin these described embodiments. Preferably, a body panel extendsbetween front and rear ends, however a bottom panel may connect adjacentto the bottom of a left and right panel. However, alternateconfigurations as would ordinarily be understood in the art such as sidepanels being rounded and connected to each other to form a roundedbottom edge, or an inverted cone shape, are contemplated.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodimentof the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to theexact details shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. A frameless trailer comprising: a trailer bodydefining an interior cargo chamber and having a front end spaced from arear end defining a longitudinal direction therebetween and having abottom; a set of rear ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted under thebottom of the trailer body; an articulating arm connected to the trailerbody at a pivot point and extending longitudinally below the bottom oftrailer, wherein the pivot point is located between the front and rearends and forward from the set of rear ground-engaging wheels; a forwardportion of the articulating arm is adapted to releasably connect to atruck for towing the trailer and wherein the trailer body is adapted topivot upwardly about the pivot point to dump cargo contents from theinterior cargo chamber; and a first air fairing mounted to thearticulating arm adapted to reduce drag as the truck tows the framelesstrailer forward.
 2. The frameless trailer of claim 1, wherein the firstair fairing is generally U-shaped and extends downwardly from thearticulating arm beneath the trailer body; and wherein the U-shaped airfairing includes a foremost apex region, a left segment extendingrearwardly and to the left from the apex region; and a right segmentwhich extends rearwardly and to the right from the apex region.
 3. Theframeless trailer of claim 2, wherein the U-shaped air fairing furtherincludes: a forward facing front surface at the apex region; a rearwardfacing rear surface at the apex region; and a bottom edge extendingsubstantially parallel to the ground.
 4. The frameless trailer of claim2, wherein the U-shaped air fairing further includes a rearmost edge oneach of the left and right segments terminating forwardly from thepivot.
 5. The frameless trailer of claim 4, wherein the apex region isarcuate when viewed from below.
 6. The frameless trailer of claim 5,wherein the left and right segments taper towards each other from therearmost edge towards the arcuate apex when viewed from below.
 7. Theframeless trailer of claim 4, wherein the rearmost edge on each of theleft and right segments is directly vertical when viewed from the side.8. The frameless trailer of claim 2, wherein the apex region islongitudinally aligned with the forward portion of the articulating arm.9. The frameless trailer of claim 2, wherein the left and right segmentsare planar and flat when viewed from below.
 10. The frameless trailer ofclaim 1, further comprising: landing gear connected to the articulatingarm longitudinally between the forward portion and the pivot point;wherein a portion of the air fairing is longitudinally between thelanding gear and the pivot point.
 11. The frameless trailer of claim 10wherein the air fairing is entirely between the landing gear and thepivot point.
 12. The trailer of claim 1, further comprising: a leftsegment on the first air fairing and a right segment on the first airfairing; a second air fairing positioned rearward of the first airfairing and positioned forward from a transversely extending axlecarrying the rear ground-engaging wheels; the second air fairing havinga planar segment positioned outside an outer surface of the wheels; andwherein the planar segment of the second air fairing is co-planar with aportion of one of the left and right segments.
 13. The trailer of claim12, wherein the second air fairing comprises: a left arcuate fairingmember extending leftward from adjacent a longitudinal centerline; and aright arcuate fairing member extending rightward and from adjacent thelongitudinal centerline.
 14. The trailer of claim 13, furthercomprising: a rear terminal edge on the left arcuate fairing memberhaving a radius of curvature; and wherein the radius of curvature of theterminal edge is generally equal to that of the wheels.
 15. The trailerof claim 13, further comprising: a mounting member coupling the bottomof the trailer body to the left and right arcuate fairing members; 16.The trailer of claim 13, further comprising: a foremost edge on the leftarcuate member longitudinally aligned coplanar with the pivot point. 17.An aerodynamic device comprising: a frameless trailer having alongitudinal container body supported by a trolley having wheelsconnected to a transverse axle near a rear end of the frameless trailer,wherein the container body has a convexly curved outer surface; anarticulating arm pivotably connected below the curved outer surface ofthe container body and a rearmost end on the articulating arm; an airfairing assembly including a first U-shaped air deflector when viewedfrom below, and a second air deflector; the first U-shaped air deflectorentirely forward of the rearmost end on the articulating arm; and thesecond air deflector entirely rearward of the rearmost end on thearticulating arm.
 18. The aerodynamic device of claim 17, furthercomprising: a mounting member, entirely rearward of the rearmost end onthe articulating arm, having a planar top segment angled relative tohorizontal and an end segment, the top segment coupled to the curvedouter surface of the trailer and the end segment connected to the secondair deflector which extends downwardly therefrom.
 19. The trailer ofclaim 18, further comprising: a rearmost end on the mounting memberpositioned rearwardly from the axle.
 20. The aerodynamic device of claim18, further comprising: a rear terminal edge on the second air deflectorterminating forwardly from the axle.
 21. The aerodynamic device of claim20, further comprising: a third air deflector connected to the mountingmember and extending downward therefrom and entirely rearward from theaxle.